Cost of Living: Columbus, OH vs Dayton, OH (2026)

Columbus

Ohio
83
VS

Dayton

Ohio
50

Columbus is 66% more expensive than Dayton.

$1,224/mo ↑ 41%
Median Rent
$866/mo ↓ 29%
$65,327/yr ↑ 50%
Median Income
$43,454/yr ↓ 33%
$234,500 ↑ 152%
Home Value
$93,200 ↓ 60%
$1,243/mo ↑ 49%
Owner Costs
$833/mo ↓ 33%
906,480
Population
136,741

Tax Comparison

3.5%
Income Tax
3.5%
5.75%
State Sales Tax
5.75%
1.53%
Property Tax
1.53%

Affordability

22.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Columbus, OH and Dayton, OH, the overall cost of living indices are 83 and 50 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $358/month cheaper in Dayton, saving renters about $4,296/year.

Median household income is $21,873/year higher in Columbus. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Columbus is $234,500 compared to $93,200 in Dayton.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Ohio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus vs Dayton — common questions

Is Columbus or Dayton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dayton is cheaper to live in with an index of 50 compared to 83 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Columbus and Dayton?
Median rent in Columbus is $1,224/month and in Dayton it's $866/month — a difference of $358/month.
Which city has higher income, Columbus or Dayton?
Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus and $43,454 in Dayton. Median household income is $21,873/year higher in Columbus.
How do taxes compare between Ohio and Ohio?
Both cities are in Ohio and share the same state tax rates: 3.5% income tax, 5.75% sales tax, and 1.53% property tax.
Should I move to Columbus or Dayton?
It depends on your priorities. Columbus has a cost index of 83 with median rent of $1,224/mo, while Dayton has a cost index of 50 with rent of $866/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Columbus details → View Dayton details →

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